The Stylish (but Lazy) Man's Guide to Halloween 2012

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So you've waited until the last minute (again) to decide on a costume, because you didn't want to, which is fine, but now you're not sure whether you have to dress up sometime between now and Halloween. Oh, also: all those "party" stores are sold out, and you're kind of on your own here. So, pick one of these, maybe, and have a drink. You deserve it.

Option No. 1: Abraham Lincoln

Yes, nation, we are soon deciding upon our forty-fifth president, and Lincoln came long before then, but Abe's feeling fresh again with the impending release of Spielberg's latest Oscar bait. Plus, Daniel Day-Lewis looks damn good — you know, for a beleaguered old man. Try it out for yourself with dark tailored clothes. Feel fee to skip the stove pipe hat. And remember: no glue-on beards. Bearded guys, just commit to the role and shave that mustache. Clean-shaven fellas, just move along to one of our other options.

Key Item to Buy: A navy, black, or charcoal-gray topcoat

Option No. 2: Gangnam Style

Re-watch the video and brush up on the dance moves; you'll want to be able to break out the viral on demand. This one is bound to be popular — maybe too popular — so you'll want to class it up beyond the bright-green "sportjackets" at the mall. In addition: this is one of the (very) few times we'll actually endorse wearing sunglasses at night.

He's already got the widow's peak going, so this seemed like a natural choice to us. Fangs, a few conservative talking points, and a shawl-collar sweater — it's the modern answer to Bela Lugosi's dramatic cape collar — are all you really need. Well, that and Ryan's signature polo shirt. Bonus: a well-timed "hey girl" or two and you're Vampire Paul Ryan Gosling in no time.

Key Item to Buy: Any polo shirt will do, but why not go fully authentic with navy and white stripes